Every time a camera comes out, nerds keep a close watch on DxO Labs to see how the image sensor will measure up to others in the camera benchmarker's battery of tests. DxO just released its ratings for the most anticipated camera in years: The Canon EOS 5D Mark III. CNET was there to document the whole process.

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The reason for the ratings has a lot to do with how DXO Labs tests cameras. As CNET points out, it's a decidedly mathematical approach. DxO Labs is an imaging company, which designs image processing technology. To DxO, cameras and images can be fully understood in ones and zeros as measured with ultra-scientific tests. Take, for example, the company's perspective on the ongoing megapixel debate. We've argued for years, as many people do, that megapixels—as a measure of image resolution—aren't nearly as important as camera's ability to capture light. More megapixels generally hinders your ability to do so.

"Everybody says there is no need for more pixels, and we should reduce the number to a reasonable number so the quality will improve," Guichard said. However, DxO's aggregate measurements tell a different story: "If we look at the cameras, there are more and more pixels, and the quality is increasing in the meantime."

And Guichard said dynamic range, which measures how well a camera can record details in both dark shadows and bright highlights, has steadily improved, too: "Manufacturers have made enormous strides in handling ever-smaller pixel sizes."

It's true, as digital imaging has gotten better and better, cameras can handle more and more pixels without losing quality. But it remains an open question whether DxO's approach can tell the whole story of a camera. There's lots to be learned by actually using them in the real world.

The whole CNET feature has tons of interesting camera geekery for those inclined. Check it out. [CNET]